(Pic by Val Adamson: Captain Hook and his motley pirate crew!)Brand new version from KickstArt of JM Barrie’s classic tale will delight young and old. (Review by Caroline Smart)
What if one could stay young forever? In the case of JM Barrie’s classic character, Peter Pan, who was determined to stay a boy forever, this would mean never having to grow up, work in an office, wear suits and – heaven forbid, have to cope with the complexities of the female sex!
Having run away as a child to live with the fairies in Kensington Gardens, Peter Pan lives in his own dream world – the Neverland. This is inhabited by fierce pirates led by the dastardly Captain Hook, a community of Red Indians, tempting mermaids and a group of young boys. Known as The Lost Boys, they had fallen out of their prams while their nannies weren’t looking. (We are talking Victorian England here – 1904, when the play Peter Pan first saw the light of day!)
Peter Pan zooms around the world satisfying his curiosity by flying into people’s homes, accompanied by his trusty fairy Tinkerbell. On one such occasion, he leaves his shadow behind at the home of the Darlings and, on returning to retrieve it, he befriends the three Darling children Wendy, John and Michael. Before long, he has enticed them to fly back to Neverland with him … and that’s when the fun begins.
Kickstart describes their version of Peter Pan as a “brand new, out-the-box production”. In his programme notes, director Steven Stead states: “It is the first time this version has even been staged anywhere in the world! Although it is based very closely on J M Barrie’s classic book, it has new songs, lots of new dialogue, original designs and is tailormade for KickstArt’s Christmas Season.”
From the magical flying sequences to the delight of the Neverbird, The Crocodile and the lovable Nana – the last two puppet characters being operated by Chris Randall who must be the fittest member of the cast! – the show drew gasps of delight and astonishment from last night’s opening audience, proving that the theatre can always surpass television for breathtaking effects.
KickstArt’s founder, designer Greg King, has been able to give full rein to his graphic talent and produce a splendid series of highly-colourful sets, backdrops and props. I loved the fish that came flying onto the stage whenever someone jumped overboard on the pirate ship.
Taking Steven Stead’s book and lyrics, Justin Southey has created some enchanting music which has been well orchestrated by Evan Roberts. My biggest problem was that the quality of the recording used for backing tracks did not match the standard of the music. As always, Neil Stuart Harris’s costume designs are a delight and Janine Bennewith’s choreography offers much fun, particularly in the scene with the pirates on board the ship.
As the boastful – prone to crowing when he’s cock a’ hoop – and irrepressible Peter Pan, Bryan Hiles is in his element in a stand-out performance, followed closely by Darren King looking resplendent as Captain Hook while also taking the role of the fussy Mr Darling.
Offering some elegant and charming femininity among all this male macho behaviour, Shelley McLean as Mrs Darling and Frances Currie as Wendy have a beautiful duet together and dancer/actress/singer Elisha Mudley as Tiger Lily is a talent to watch. Jamie Royal and Joshua Arnold as John and Michael put in good performances and get a chance to fly as well! Providing sturdy and humorous support is Peter Court as a delicious Smee and Marc Kay as Gentleman Starkey although the Sean Connery take-off sometimes rendered the dialogue difficult to follow. The motley bunch of pirates - Sean de Klerk (who plays Peter Pan on certain performances, Cavin Sewell, Graeme Wicks, Lyle Buxton, Ntando Mncube, Grant Jacobs and Vish Singh – provide some hilarious moments. The youngsters playing the Lost Boys are highly disciplined and focused and special mention should be made of Oliver Druce – another talent to watch.
Peter Pan runs at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre until January 10. Tickets R120 (R90 children / OAP / students). There will be a New Year’s Eve gala performance at 21h30 when tickets will be R200 (R150 concession for children only). Book at Computicket and for more information visit KickstArt’s website: www.kickstart-theatre.co.za – Caroline Smart
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